Monday

Nationwide Children’s Hospital Patient Champion Joins No. 16 Team

CONCORD, N.C. (Aug. 11, 2014) – Roush Fenway Racing’s Ryan Reed was told that he would never race again after he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Instead of giving up on his lifelong dream, Reed found a doctor that believed he could continue racing and took the necessary steps to do so. This weekend for the Nationwide Children’s Hospital 200 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Reed is paired with Dalton Miller, who shares a unique connection to the driver.

Miller, who is nine years old and hails from Newark, Ohio, was recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Miller’s name and image will appear on the No. 16 American Diabetes Association Drive to Stop DiabetesSM presented by Lilly Diabetes Ford Mustang this weekend as a part of the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Patient Champion program.

“I think what the Nationwide Children’s Hospital is doing this weekend is really cool,” said Reed. “It’s an awesome experience for all of these children and their families. Dalton and I share a really special connection, since we both have type 1 diabetes. I’m excited that he will get to see up close that diabetes does not have to stop you from pursuing your dreams. I’m grateful to be associated with organizations like the American Diabetes Association and Lilly Diabetes, who care so much about spreading that message. It’s really what the whole Drive to Stop Diabetes platform is all about.”

Miller and Reed share something else in common too. Neither let a diabetes diagnosis slow them down. Miller’s hobbies include football and baseball, and the nine-year-old aspires to be a firefighter. While he thinks it is “awesome” to have his face on the No. 16 Mustang, Miller is most excited to see Ryan race.

“It gives me hope,” said Miller. “That I can do anything.”

Nine other NNS teams are also participating in the Patient Champion program, including fellow Roush Fenway teammates Chris Buescher and Trevor Bayne.

The Nationwide Children’s Hospital 200 will air live on ESPN at 2:45 p.m. ET on Aug. 16.

About Roush Fenway Racing:

Roush Fenway Racing is the winningest team in NASCAR history, fielding multiple teams in the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series with championship drivers Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Trevor Bayne, Ryan Reed and Chris Buescher. Having celebrated 25 winning years in 2012, Roush Fenway is the leader in NASCAR marketing solutions, pioneering motorsport’s first team-focused TV show and its award-winning marketing campaigns for “RFR Driven”, “Let Ricky Race”, Pillow Pets, RickyvsTrevor.com, “25 Winning Years” and Google+. Visit RoushFenway.com, circle on Google+, become a fan on Facebook and Instagram and follow on Twitter at @roushfenway.

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